Consultation - Proposed Significant Change ‘Closure of Sixth Form’

Dear Parents/Carers,

Consultation - Proposed Significant Change ‘Closure of Sixth Form’ from September 2025

The sixth form at Cottingham High School, part of The Consortium Sixth Form College, has prepared students for higher education, employment and training with many of our students going on to study at university and has been an important part of the school to date.

Over the last few years, falling numbers in the sixth form have meant that it may no longer be viable to run. It is deeply disappointing that we are writing to formally notify you of the decision to commence a consultation period with regard to a proposed ‘Significant Change’ to close the sixth form provision within our school from September 2025.

This consultation period is for a period of 4 weeks from the date of this letter and no decision will be reached until consultation has concluded.  The consultation will take place with our stakeholders and affected employees.  All responses received during the consultation will be seriously considered before a final decision is taken to send a business case for closure to the Department for Education. Should the change be approved by the Department for Education, following consultation, it would be our intention that sixth form students in year 12, who have just started a two-year course, will continue their education at The Consortium Sixth Form College – Hessle and Wolfreton Campus.

The letter attached below details the rationale for the proposed closure. We would welcome your feedback, please get in touch by emailing communications@consortiumtrust.co.uk on or before the closure of the consultation period on the 18th October 2024.